QOTD: "Referring to the market turmoil in Europe over the need for tax and spending reform, [former Senator Alan] Simpson said: "We are the healthiest horse in the glue factory."

"Just a single piece of paper will get the markets off our case," Simpson said. "Germany has a plan – it's not in writing but it's a plan, so the markets don't bother them. France is stumbling. If they don't write something on the back of a piece of paper soon, why that will be the core of Europe begin to rot out. And this all affects us."

Asked by Fortune what advice he would give middle class investors who wonder whether they should sell stocks before the end of the year, Simpson demurred: "I wouldn't advise anybody to do anything, but I can tell you now and before Dec. 31, I think "hunker" would be a hell of a word." --Allan Dodds Frank